Swollen glands

Swollen lymph glands in the neck or other parts of the body are usually a sign of an infection, such as glandular fever or having a cold.

What are the lymph nodes?

Your lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped masses of tissue. They are part of the lymphatic system that helps your body fight infection and disease. As lymphatic fluid travels through the body, immune cells (called lymphocytes) in the lymph nodes trap bacteria, viruses and other potentially harmful substances and destroy them to help prevent their spread. They also keep fluid balance in check.

You're probably already familiar with the lymph nodes in your neck but there are hundreds of other lymph nodes scattered throughout your body. Other areas where you may be able to feel swollen lymph nodes include:

The tonsils in the back of the throat are also a kind of lymph tissue and they can swell from illnesses such as tonsillitis.

How do I know that my lymph nodes are swollen?

Normally you shouldn't be able to feel your lymph nodes. They measure only about 1.3 cm (half an inch) across. When you get sick they can swell -- sometimes to two to three times their usual size -- to the point where you can distinctly feel them.

Swollen lymph nodes that are soft, tender and move easily are usually a sign of infection or inflammation. A hard lymph node that does not move and does not cause pain needs prompt evaluation by your doctor.

Swollen gland treatments

Once the underlying illness has been treated, the glands usually go back to their normal size – however, sometimes they remain enlarged even after the cause has been resolved. How swollen glands are treated depends on what's causing them.

To relieve the discomfort of swollen glands and the illnesses that cause them, the following home care methods may help:

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to a child under the age of 16 because of the risk for Reye's syndrome.

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